"Hey, Oguri, what do you think?"
Walking along the summer food street, Gold Legend licked her ice cream while asking the question that had been bothering her since Ardan's confession.
"..."
"Oguri, are you listening?"
Legend turned her head when she didn't get an answer, only to find that the Gray Coat Horse Girl who should have been walking beside her was gone.
Without panicking, she skillfully turned around immediately to search, walking dozens of steps further.
Sure enough, she saw Oguri Cap standing dumbfounded in front of the restaurant window display around the corner, staring at a poster.
"Oguri?"
Walking over to look, she saw the poster advertised this month's limited-time menu.
"Limited-time menu? Secret Recipe Carrot Sauce Meat Rolls? Looks good."
Oguri Cap turned her head to look at Legend, not speaking, but her sparkling eyes and rapidly wagging tail betrayed her mood.
"Legend~"
"...Alright, then lunch today will be this."
Legend put her hands on her hips helplessly and led Oguri Cap into the restaurant.
After skillfully ordering, Legend and Oguri Cap sat down to wait.
"Uh..."
Legend wanted to say something, but held it back.
It wasn't because it was hard to say, but the timing wasn't right.
Oguri Cap sat quietly before the meal, radiating an undeniable sense of pressure.
Although she had long grown used to it over the past year of their acquaintance, Gold Legend still wanted to complain about Oguri Cap's pre-meal posture.
The pressure was strong enough to overwhelm Legend's senses—it could be considered a Red Skill on the racetrack.
Without speaking, the two quietly enjoyed this time.
Before long, the waiter brought the dishes over.
"Wow, that's quite a lot."
Gold Legend raised an eyebrow, looking at the generous portion.
"A lot? I don't think so."
Saying "I humbly partake" with her hands clasped, Oguri Cap immediately began to feast eagerly.
"...For Oguri, it's really not much."
Everything really depends on comparison. Gold Legend sighed and also began to eat slowly.
"The taste is surprisingly good."
Legend slowly savored the food.
"Stare..."
Feeling the intense gaze, Gold Legend looked up.
Oguri Cap, who had already finished her portion, was staring intently.
Gold Legend blinked.
"Do you want another serving?"
Legend asked.
"Yes!"
Oguri Cap replied.
She stood up and ordered another menu item from the waiter.
Legend sat back down, while Oguri Cap continued to stare intently, though it was hard to tell if she was looking at Legend or the meat roll in front of her.
Legend thought for a moment, then speared a piece of meat roll with her fork and extended it toward Oguri Cap.
Oguri Cap blinked, then bit down without hesitation.
"How is it?"
"So good (chewing)."
She really is cute.
Legend thought to herself, then speared another piece and held it out to Oguri Cap.
Oguri Cap tilted her head and calmly accepted the feeding from Legend.
Soon, the waiter brought the new dish.
Gold Legend withdrew her hand with a hint of regret.
Oguri Cap looked at the dish in front of her, thought for a moment, picked up her fork, speared a meat roll, and held it to Legend's lips.
Legend was a bit confused, but she ate it anyway and began to chew slowly.
Then, Oguri Cap watched with satisfaction as Legend's face grew redder and redder.
After swallowing the meat roll, even the tips of Legend's ears were red.
"...That's unexpectedly embarrassing."
"It really is."
Oguri Cap flashed a bright, adorable smile.
...
After eating to her heart's content, Oguri Cap patted her stomach and leaned back comfortably in her chair.
Gold Legend ordered two servings of black tea and cake for dessert.
"Legend, is there anything you want to ask?"
Oguri Cap asked.
"Huh?"
Legend, who had been lost in the sweetness of the cake, snapped back to reality.
"It's just that you've been looking like you have something to say all day, Legend."
Oguri Cap picked up her black tea and took a sip.
"...It's nothing major, I just wanted to ask about you and Ardan?"
Legend said hesitantly.
"Has Ardan already confessed? I thought she would wait until the Ball."
Oguri Cap said, looking somewhat surprised.
"...No, what's going on with you? Don't you have any other thoughts?"
Legend said, feeling speechless.
"What kind of thoughts?"
"Ardan confessed to me, you know. Aren't you rivals in love?"
Why are you so calm about this?
"Rivals in love? I like Legend, and Ardan likes Legend, so shouldn't we be on the same side?"
Oguri Cap remained just as calm.
"...Are you serious?"
"Besides, Legend, you definitely won't be able to refuse Ardan anyway," Oguri Cap said, spearing a piece of cake. "And I like Ardan very much."
So I don't mind at all.
"Ah, this..."
Legend was stunned by Oguri Cap's magnanimity.
"However, there is one thing I must make clear," Oguri Cap said, popping the rest of the cake into her mouth. "I am your number one, Legend! Understood?"
Although she didn't make any dramatic movements, at that moment, she displayed an unprecedented air of dominance.
"...Understood." Swallowing hard, Legend finally answered slowly.
...
After leaving the restaurant, Gold Legend intended to say goodbye to Oguri Cap.
"Is there anything else you need to buy, Legend?"
Oguri Cap asked curiously.
Barring special circumstances, they would usually return to the Tracen dorms together after eating.
"Ah, actually, Senior Huangcheng asked to meet me today."
Since it wasn't a confidential matter, Gold Legend was very open about it.
"Gold City? What does she want with you?"
Oguri Cap asked, somewhat surprised, as in her impression, Gold City wasn't the type to go out of her way to make appointments.
"It's just to use me as a doll, anyway."
Expecting this, Legend waved her hand dismissively.
"A doll?" Oguri Cap's eyes lit up.
"Yeah, Senior Huangcheng has always had me act as her model, dressing me up and doing my makeup, I think for reference?"
Since she could enjoy the free services of the famous Gold City, Legend had never refused.
"Also, I'm not very good at styling my hair and tail, so it's perfect to ask Senior Kinkaku for help."
Besides, the payment is just being her doll for a while, so I'm clearly the one profiting.
Oguri Cap blinked, reached out her small hand, and brushed back Legend's bangs.
Then, she stared intently at her face.
"As expected, no matter how many times I look, Legend, you really are a beauty."
Oguri Cap complimented her sincerely.
"It's not that exaggerated, is it?"
Legend was startled by the sudden action and words, feeling a bit shy.
So, to retaliate, Legend also brushed back Oguri Cap's hair and stared closely at her face.
"Oguri is also very beautiful."
"Mm, thank you."
Oguri Cap accepted the compliment calmly.
The two didn't hold that pose for long.
Oguri Cap moved her hand away from Legend's hair and then turned to leave.
"Well then, say hello to Gold City for me."
With her excellent eyesight, Gold Legend could see clearly that the tips of Oguri Cap's ears were already red as she hurried away.
"...That was quite nice, wasn't it?"
Legend muttered to herself, savoring the moment as she walked toward the promised land.
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